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JAPA: Fake foreign jobs leave over 1000 Nigerians stranded in Europe – IOM
JAPA: Fake foreign jobs leave over 1000 Nigerians stranded in Europe – IOM
The United Nations Migration Agency, International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has stated that more than 1,000 Nigerians have fallen victim to scams involving foreign job opportunities in the United Kingdom.
IOM’s Chief of Mission, Laurent De Boeck, disclosed this at a news conference yesterday in Abuja.
Boeck noted that some of the victims lost as much as $10,000 each in their desperate attempts to secure foreign jobs.
He said victims are stranded in the UK because some of them lack the means to come back, while others are ashamed of coming back to their families.
“There are some of them who lost over $10,000 only to be given fake employment letters, which allowed them to get visas.”
“They get there, present the letters, and the organisations tell them that the letters did not emanate from the organisations. Over a thousand people are affected,” he stated.
He also disclosed that over 260,000 Nigerians had approached the agency in 2023 seeking guidance on how to migrate through regular or approved routes and also undergoing pre-departure medical health assessments.
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Boeck added that IOM is working with partners to repatriate thousands of people, including Nigerians, from Tunisia, which has recently placed a ban on migration.
On displacements, Boeck said there has been about a 30 per cent annual increase for the past five years in many states of the North West.
Noting that Zamfara remained the most impacted in this regard, he said the incidents of banditry and other crimes were fueling the increase.
“In Kano, people are displaced within and there are others who have migrated, which is why our offices in Libya and Niger have more migrants originating from Kano,” he stated.
“In 2023, IOM identified and supported 682 victims of trafficking, with a dedicated focus on vulnerable groups such as survivors of gender-based violence, persons with disabilities, and unaccompanied and separated children.
“Collaborating with the Federal Government of Nigeria, IOM facilitated the return of 4,431 Nigerians and supported their reintegration. A total of 2,853 individuals received reintegration assistance, engaging in socio-economic opportunities of their choice.
“IOM’s Migration Health efforts in 2023, including over 260,000 Pre-Departure Medical Health Assessments diagnosing and referring 166 migrants with TB, administering 15,000 vaccine doses, and renovating three public hospitals, exemplified the organization’s commitment to comprehensive healthcare,” he stated.
JAPA: Fake foreign jobs leave over 1000 Nigerians stranded in Europe – IOM
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Lagos GDP hits N41tn, earns N433bn from IGR
Lagos GDP hits N41tn, earns N433bn from IGR
According to Ope George, Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Lagos State’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has surged from N27 trillion to N41 trillion over the past four years.
George highlighted that this achievement positions Lagos as the 7th largest economy in Africa based on GDP.
At the ministerial press briefing marking the first year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term, held at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, George emphasized the state’s significant contribution, constituting over 20% of Nigeria’s GDP.
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He remarked, “Currently, we are ranked 7th in GDP in Africa. Our trajectory demonstrates positive growth despite past challenges.”
The commissioner revealed that the state government recorded a total revenue of N433.408 billion in the first quarter of the 2024 fiscal year.
George elaborated, “Quarterly performance indicates 92% revenue realization at N433.408 billion. Recurrent expenditure reached 80%, totalling N189.624 billion, while capital expenditure achieved 54% performance at N178.728 billion. Total expenditure (budget size) stood at 65% performance, amounting to N368.352 billion.”
He further outlined the details of the approved Y2024 budget, which includes a total revenue projection of N1.880 trillion, deficit financing of N387.125 billion, capital expenditure of N1.315 trillion, and recurrent expenditure of N952.431 billion (including debt charges), maintaining capital to recurrent ratio of 58:42.
Lagos GDP hits N41tn, earns N433bn from IGR
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Three senior govt officials arrested over alleged illegal citizenship for foreigners
Three senior govt officials arrested over alleged illegal citizenship for foreigners
The Kano State government said three of its top civil servants have been apprehended for engaging in citizenship racket.
The indicted government officials were arrested by the State Public Complaint and Anti-corruption Agency.
According to the anti-graft agency, the three senior officials allegedly recommending Nigerian citizenship to illegal migrants.
Speaking to newsmen on Thursday in Kano, the chairman of the agency, Muhuyi Magaji, disclosed that the suspects collected bribes from the foreign nationals for the the illegal activity.
He alleged that the suspects planned to write letters of recommendation to the Federal ministry of internal affairs, using government letter-headed papers.
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He named the suspects as Kabiru Shehu of the ministry of information; Hassan Aminu from Office of the state Head of Service; and one AMusa Falgore, a retired staff of the information ministry.
“These are senior officials of Kano state government conniving to write fake letters recommending illegal aliens to secure Nigerian citizenship.
“We have arrested them. They are giving us useful information. We will keep interrogating them and at the end, if found wanting, they will be prosecuted.
“We will not tolerate this kind of unpatriotic action from senior government officials.
“This government abhors corruption, and we will do everything possible to ensure that anybody found neck-deep in corruption is exposed,” Mr Muhuyi said.
Three senior govt officials arrested over alleged illegal citizenship for foreigners
(NAN)
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Group protests alleged imposition of Imam in Osun
Group protests alleged imposition of Imam in Osun
A Muslim group in Inisa, Odo-Otin Local Government area of Osun State, has threatened to embark on mass protest over alleged imposition of Imam on the community’s central mosque.
The mosque had been without leadership since the demise of the imam, his deputy, and third in command, within the space of two months, in 2020, following the crisis over succession plan.
However, in December 2023, Osun State governor, after observing Juma’at prayer in the mosque, adopted one Hakeem Jamiu as the imam.
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But a Muslim group in the town, Inisa Muslim Elites Association, IMEA, while addressing newsmen in Osogbo, yesterday, described the governor’s action as an affront on Islamic teachings and provided guidelines on the appointment of an imam.
Fielding questions from journalist, Imam Raji Oladejo said the Muslim Ummah in the town are ready to lay down their lives to the dictates of the religion on the matter and would not succumb to any imposition from any quarter.
His words: “We have called the attention of every stakeholder on this matter over the illegalities of those who imposed an imam on us in Inisa. We have repeatedly stressed the need to follow due process, and a case is still in court.”
Group protests alleged imposition of Imam in Osun
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